Next of kin: Bertha Ailween Homer (wife), Bathurst Road, East Orange, later Brisbane Street, Dubbo
Date of enlistment: 25 October 1915
Place of enlistment: Orange
Age at enlistment: 28
Fate: Joined 13th Battalion, 13th Reinforcements. Discharged 12 February 1916. Re-enlisted Dubbo 18 October 1916. Joined camp in Dubbo 19 October 1916. Joined 23rd Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements, Liverpool, 3 November 1916. Embarked "Benalla" Sydney 9 November 1916. Disembarked Devonport 9 January 1917. Admitted to Fargo Military Hospital, UK, suffering from scabies. Discharged to duty 30 May 1917. Returned to Australia 29 September 1917. Discharged 27 December 1917 due to medical unfitness.
William John Homer was an apprentice baker for with George Merrin in Orange when he enlisted in October 1915. He was discharged four months later, but re-enlisted in Dubbo in October 1916.
Private Homer joined the 23rd Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements at Liverpool and embarked for active service in November 1916. Homer returned to Australia for discharge from the AIF in December 1917 due to defective vision.
Private William John Homer is one of nine known Aboriginal servicemen with a connection to Orange.
